Taiwan's KMT launches AI spokesperson, sparking debate over AI vs. propaganda

Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party has introduced an AI spokesperson named 'Zheng Xiaowen,' conceptualized around legislator Zheng Liwen. The party claims this AI will respond to current events and promote party ideals across social media platforms in various formats.

However, the initiative has sparked debate about its true nature. Critics question whether it represents genuine artificial intelligence or is merely a propaganda tool disguised as AI. The current iteration of 'Zheng Xiaowen' appears to lack the ability to interact in real-time, understand complex questions, or provide independent analysis. Instead, it seems to function as a pre-scripted virtual character managed by a behind-the-scenes team.

Concerns have been raised about the KMT's choice to base the AI spokesperson on a specific political figure, Zheng Liwen, rather than creating a neutral, professional virtual character. This approach could foster associations with "personal worship" or a "sycophantic culture," suggesting the AI is more of a promotional extension of a political personality than an innovative application of AI technology.

Commentators suggest that true AI should possess transparency, verifiability, and the capacity to answer questions, citing policy bases and public data, and engaging with diverse viewpoints. They argue that instead of creating a virtual idol that speaks only for the party, the KMT should focus on developing an AI platform that openly shares policy data, allows public scrutiny, and provides honest responses to factual inquiries. This, they contend, would leverage AI to enhance democratic communication rather than using it as a new facade for political marketing.